Biplanar foot dorsiflexion collapsible posterior splint

Abstract

A collapsible posterior splint capable of sustained biplanar (frontal and sagittal) dorsiflexion of the foot. The splint is comprised of a compression support sleeve, inserted into a flexible frame, and utilizing adjustable tension straps. This splint is a method of treatment for foot pain, including plantar fasciitis.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. An orthopedic device for adjustable flexion treatment of plantar fascitis, comprising: 
       a support shell including a support plate having medial and lateral sides, an anterior portion, and a posterior portion, and a pair of support extensions having upper and lower ends, the support plate attached to the support extensions substantially at a side of the posterior portion and at the lower end of the support extensions, one of said extensions attached to the medial side of said support plate and the other of said support extensions to the lateral side of said support plate; said support extensions being connected by a collar adapted to engage a wearer's leg;  
       medial and lateral adjustable straps, each having one part of said strap attached at the anterior portion of said support shell plate and another part of said strap attached at the upper end of said support extension;  
       an adjustable leg strap attached at the upper end of said support extension adapted to secure a wearer's leg within the shell; a sock adapted for a foot and insertion into said support shell, the sock including a heat energy transfer pack having barrier layers, said barrier layers encapsulating a material having a high specific heat, said pack further comprises a heat energy transfer plate located between the high specific heat material of the pack and a foot placed in said sock during use.  
     
     
       2. An orthopedic device for adjustable flexion treatment of plantar fascitis, comprising: 
       a support shell for receiving a patient's foot and lower leg, the shell including a semi-rigid plate for supporting the sole of the patient's foot and first and second upright leg braces attached to the plate;  
       the plate having opposite first and second sides, a posterior portion, and an anterior portion;  
       the plate and leg braces creating an unobstructed frontal opening so that the patient can insert the lower leg and foot through the opening and releasably secure the device to the patient;  
       the first and second upright leg braces each having upper and lower portions, the lower portion of each of the leg braces being pivotally connected to the posterior portion of the plate;  
       first and second pivot connections mounted on the first and second sides of the anterior portion of the plate respectively;  
       third and fourth pivot connections mounted on the upper portions of the first and second upright leg braces respectively;  
       a first tensioning strap spanning between the first and third pivot connections and a second tensioning strap spanning between the second and fourth pivot connections, the first and second tensioning straps being independently adjustable so as to allow pronation adjustments of the straps and thus the plate.  
     
     
       3. The device of claim  2  wherein each of the tensioning straps includes an elongated strip of flexible material having hook and pile fastening means thereon, the strip being adjustably formed into a loop and releasably fastened to itself by said fastening means such that the loop has spans an effective length that is infinitely variable between a first length and a second length. 
     
     
       4. The device of claim  2  wherein first and second posterior wings extend upwardly respectively from the sides of the plate at the posterior portion and the first and second upright leg braces are pivotally attached to the first and second posterior wings respectively. 
     
     
       5. The device of claim  2  wherein first and second anterior wings extend upwardly respectively from the sides of the plate at the anterior portion and the first and second pivotal connections are attached to the first and second anterior wings. 
     
     
       6. The device of claim  2  further comprising a C-shaped leg collar interconnecting the leg braces. 
     
     
       7. The device of claim  6  further comprising a releasably securable and adjustable leg strap on the C-shaped leg collar for securing the patient's lower leg to the device.